Tesla has reportedly canceled orders for the Model 3 Performance in Australia shortly after the sales launch of the facelifted Model 3 in the country. Numerous prospective owners of the high-performance variant have expressed their dismay on the Tesla Owners Australia Facebook group, sharing messages from Tesla stating that their Model 3 Performance orders could not be fulfilled at this time.
“Unfortunately, Performance is not currently available, and we are unable to complete your Model 3 order,” reads one of the messages from Tesla, as shared on the group and reported by Car Expert.
See also: New Tesla Model 3 Boasts Impressive 0.219 Drag Coefficient, Maximize Efficiency and Driving Range
Tesla has offered affected customers an alternative in the form of “priority matching,” allowing them to choose from other Tesla models. While the larger Model Y Performance seems the most obvious alternative, customers can also opt for the facelifted Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) or Long Range variants. Another option available to customers is to select a pre-update Model 3 Performance from Tesla’s existing inventory.
The cancellation of vehicle orders is undoubtedly a frustrating experience for customers, but it has also raised questions about the future of the Model 3 Performance in Australia. Two possible scenarios emerge from this situation. First, Tesla may intend to reintroduce the Model 3 Performance at a later date, following the launch of the updated Model 3 RWD and Long Range variants. Alternatively, the Model 3 Performance could face discontinuation in the Australian market.
See also: Teslaās Refreshed Model 3 Hits Global Markets, But UK Availability Remains Uncertain
Should the latter scenario prove true, the new Model 3 Long Range could serve as a reasonable substitute. Although slightly slower in its 0-62 mph acceleration time (4.4 seconds) compared to the Model 3 Performance (3.3 seconds), it still offers impressive performance.
For now, prospective buyers are left in suspense, as the Model 3 Performance is conspicuously absent from Tesla’s online configurator in some countries where the updated Model 3 has been launched. While this absence doesn’t definitively rule out the possibility of a future launch, it also raises questions about whether the Model 3 Performance will ever return to the market. The uncertainty leaves customers eagerly awaiting clarification from Tesla regarding its plans for the high-performance variant.
